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Author Topic: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan  (Read 9482 times)

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Offline zappid

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coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« on: April 20, 2012, 10:18:53 AM »
Just curious if anyone has experience with a coil spring replacement for a 79 sedan... My old repair manual says you have to remove the lower control arm by disconnecting at the strut and then at the frame, then slowly drop the arm with a jack...  Has anyone been able to do this an easier way?  The nuts under the lower control arm are pretty rusty and don't see to want to come off...

Thanks again for all the help!

Offline lowtruk

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2012, 10:49:00 AM »
that is prety much it... you also need to loosen the sway bar end links if you have a sway bar to allow arm to drop all the way. I sugest putting a blanket over the spring so if it pops out it will not fly and damage something...DO NT stand in front of it. I think the 79 is like earlier ones with a spring and a shock running throught the center and not a actual strut? if is had a strut it will not fly out. if it is a spring with a shock that comes loose first, the spring can fly out.
I would rather have a Ford Emblem shoved in my eye that to drive a Chevy

Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2012, 12:58:08 PM »
I bought a spring compressor tool from NAPA. Way safer than letting a spring loose !
Installing my new ones this aft.

Offline lowtruk

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2012, 01:13:15 PM »
that is the safe way for sure.
I would rather have a Ford Emblem shoved in my eye that to drive a Chevy

Offline zappid

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2012, 02:55:23 PM »
Thank you for the help... Reeves, could you possibly tell me how you used the compressor?  I tried a few times, but it doesn't seem to have enough room to get it out and couldn't find any info on the internet about it...

Thanks again everyone for your help

Offline dave1987

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2012, 05:34:12 PM »
The strut is the metal bar that connects the lower arm to the frame.
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Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2012, 06:11:18 PM »
Thank you for the help... Reeves, could you possibly tell me how you used the compressor?  I tried a few times, but it doesn't seem to have enough room to get it out and couldn't find any info on the internet about it...

Thanks again everyone for your help

This is the tool I used to take the short springs out. They are 5 coils. New ones are 8 coils. Do not get this tool. It worked to get the short coils out, but will not work to get the new ones in (just tried).
Stock 72 Pinto has 7 coils.
To see the difference in my coils: http://www.fordpinto.com/general-pinto-talk/72-front-springs/

I will be taking mine into town & have a shop compress and metal band them to install the new ones.


Offline zappid

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2012, 06:25:29 PM »
Thanks for the response, Reeves.. The compressor I was trying to use just had one bolt down the middle and kept hitting the top of the control arm... I'll have to get something like that to get them out....
So after they are banded, would you just put them in place and cut the banding or is there a technique to it?  Sorry for all the questions, I've never done a suspension before.... Thanks again, though, I appreciate the info!

Offline lowtruk

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2012, 07:08:54 PM »
the easiest way to get a stock spring back in place is seat the top where it needs to go, then the bottom will be just a tiny bit longer than the lower seat. . with a jack under the to cont arm ready , use a pry bar and push the bottom back carefuly. it should pop into the back of that seat. then jack it up. I dont recal, does the pinto have a bolt on metal cover on the out side of the the spring tower like a maverick or mustang? if so bolt in in first so spring can not pop out
I would rather have a Ford Emblem shoved in my eye that to drive a Chevy

Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2012, 05:15:02 AM »
My springs (and I think stock springs) are too long to do like truk says. Plus if you compress them like that you be compressing them at an angle (ie: inside first) which can make them bow to the outside. Lots of engery there & you do not want them to pop out !
Without my engine etc in my car I wouldn't be able to jack the car up anyway.

In the past I had them squished and banded. I do not remember if it was 2 or 4 metal bands ?
I then put them in place. Bolt all back to gether, including the shock.
Cut each band & the bands pulled out OK.

Quote
The compressor I was trying to use just had one bolt down the middle

Back in the 70s I had made one like that. Worked better than the tool I bought !

Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2012, 03:23:08 PM »
If an auto store tells you the McPhearson (spelling ?) strut (outside of springs) will work to put springs into a Pinto, tell them they are full of BS !
Will not work.
I now have two types of these tools and they will not work.
You need the inside type spring compressors.
Spent huge money to find out.

I had my springs powder coated (they came like that, but semi gloss) & I now have one so barked up it needs re-coating.

Learn form my mistakes !

Offline 82expghost

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #11 on: April 21, 2012, 09:28:53 PM »
i just jacked mine up by the arm, put a jack stand under the bumper suport, loosen the bottom ball joint nut, not all the way off. unbolt the shock and take it out. next hit the side of the nuckle at the bottom, not the joint, and the arm should come loose from the nuckle, then lower the jack after you take the nut off the ball joint. Also it does make it easier to unbolt the strut bar, after you lower the jack all the way down the spring will barley be in there, now stand on the lower arm and the spring should just fall out. then i did it in backwards order when i put my new springs in.
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Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #12 on: April 22, 2012, 05:25:52 AM »
Newer cars differ from my 72 ?
I just went out & held the spring in place. Lower arm is down as far as it will go. Still nearly 3 coils past the spring seat. (stock spring is one coil less than my new ones)
I have ordered the through the center spring compressor. Supposed to be in on Monday aft.


Offline OhSix9

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2012, 11:57:12 AM »
reeves.
Are you sure you have the right springs. 82exp had the instructions right. there is almost no preload on the springs and i have never needed a spring compressor. they did change the suspension in 73 your 72 may be different
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Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2012, 01:29:17 PM »
My new ones measure up the same as the blue 72 except they have one more coil.
Reason for one more coil is the V8 in a Mustang ll.

I'll take measurements of the arms to see if something was changed.....

Offline spyville

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #15 on: April 23, 2012, 03:53:03 PM »
I just removed them from a 76 and the spring compressor fit in just one way. Notice the shaft of the tool comes out between the upper control arm and the control arm mount.
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Offline zappid

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #16 on: April 23, 2012, 07:11:13 PM »
So, it sounds like you can remove the old ones with the Macpherson compressor and you need to put the new ones in with the single, inner compressor?  Sorry, I guess I'm pretty confused...   I'd remove the lower control arm, but those bolts holding the strut are so rusted I'd rather try to skip the headache.  Thanks again for everyones help!

Offline Pangra74

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #17 on: April 24, 2012, 11:27:00 AM »
I've never had to use as spring compressor on my 74, and I've had them out twice. You just remove the spindle and struts and swing the lower arm all the way down and the spring just pops off the little lip on the lower control arm. Should be the same as my 74. getting it back in, I just use a long bar to get the spring back on the lip and jack the arm back up into place. See pics.


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Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #18 on: April 24, 2012, 08:09:27 PM »
Looks to me mine would work the same, except for the extra coil I have.

I'll use a center compressor just the same. The B2 engine is a heavy beast & I need the ground clearance.
If it ends up too high, I can always cut the spring some later.

Offline Pangra74

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #19 on: April 24, 2012, 08:17:24 PM »
I hadn't read the entire thread. I guess if those are V8 springs they could be longer. Good to know when I do the V8 in my wagon.
I've always hated working with springs, even small ones. They're just a pain in the butt!!


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Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #20 on: April 26, 2012, 03:53:18 PM »
I got one side in. But I think the 8 coils are too much. They will need to be cut down to the 7 coils like the originals.
I sent these pictures to Standens asking their thoughts on this.

You can see the spring outward bulge makes it ride against the inside of the spring.





The spring also is up against the upper arm.




I know this is not my topic, but thought it a good place to post the pictures and my problems.
If not, let me know & I'll start another topic for this.


Offline Pangra74

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #21 on: April 26, 2012, 04:01:56 PM »
Did that spring even fit into the upper recess? Doesn't look like it from the pic.


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Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #22 on: April 26, 2012, 08:59:58 PM »
Yes, fits up inside perfect. Measures the same as what came out & measures the same as a stock 72 spring.

No reply from Standens yet.

Offline 82expghost

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #23 on: April 26, 2012, 11:58:45 PM »
in the future if you ever want different better springs, give landrum springs a call, the techs up there race mini stocks, they will set you up with perfect springs for 100 bucks that fit with no cutting required, any spring rate you want practically
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Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #24 on: April 27, 2012, 06:58:43 AM »
Quote
landrum springs

With shipping from the States they would end up $400 - $500 for a set.

Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #25 on: April 27, 2012, 03:55:43 PM »
I called Standens & we talked about what I'm doing with this project.
Decided to cut one coil off & install in the other side. All clearances looked good.
So I cut the other one as well.
Lowered the car onto the floor & stood on the rad support & jumped/bounced & the car (springs) acted like all will be perfect.
Will not know till the engine (etc) is all back in & test drive it.
No idea when that will happen.....lot s of stuff to do before that will happen.
Will up-date at that time.

Offline 82expghost

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #26 on: April 30, 2012, 12:28:12 AM »
wow 300 for shipping? sry to hear that, good luck with the build
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Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #27 on: April 30, 2012, 03:56:58 AM »
ghost.....mayb e not that much shipping, but it would more than double the price of the springs. Has on most of the new parts I've had sent up from the States.

Offline jwpauto

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #28 on: May 07, 2017, 10:48:01 AM »
I'm completely stuck trying to get mine back together. I have a '73, I got the springs out by removing the spindle and completely lowering the lower control arm. The spring did not 'just drop out'. It took a little bit of love with a bar and it popped out. I bought stiffer Mustang II springs and had them cut down to the same size as the stock springs.

I tried using the spring compressor with 4 arms on the inside, but the bar does not stay straight enough to go back up through the upper shock mount hole. Using the tool feels rather dangerous as well. I even tried disassembling the tool and inserting the rod down through the access panel and top shock hole, then put the threaded end back on the bottom and tried compressing it up into the spring perch. After I started to get it compressed about an inch or 2, the tool began slipping and rotating on the spring. This did not feel safe.

I tried using the compression tool that goes on the outside of the spring and even though it won't clear the upper spring perch or lower control arm when fully compressed, I tried compressing the spring just enough to get it to clear the seat on the lower control arm. Once I got it on there I tried jacking up the arm under it, but with no motor or trans in the vehicle, the vehicle raised, rather than compressing the spring up into the upper seat.

I don't know of any shops around Cleveland that will compress and band the springs due to liabilities with that. Any suggestions?

Offline Reeves1

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Re: coil spring install 79 pinto sedan
« Reply #29 on: May 07, 2017, 11:06:51 AM »
I had forgotten about this topic....

I ended up putting the springs back in after the engine was in place. Jack up the lower arm & bolt lower spindle arm (ball joint).

Final measurement of springs in shop... will up-date later.

If you have yours all apart, best time to install all new bushings , ball joints & tie rod ends.

If installing an engine so you can jack it up is a pain, have a couple fat buddies stand in place of it  ;D